Surname MacGwier - Meaning and Origin
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MacGwier: What does the surname MacGwier mean?
The ancient Scottish surname MacGwier is derived from the personal name MacGuaire, a diminutive of Guaire, which is derived from the Irish Gaelic "great". It is a surname associated with clans of both Ulster and Scotland; the Scottish Clan MacGuaire having been settled in Argyll since the 1500s. The spelling of MacGwier, Phonetically pronounced "MacEahr", is distinct from its Irish counterpart, McGuire. Historically, the name MacGwier was most prevalent alongside the Argyll coast.
The MacGaire Mountains, in south-western Scotland, take their name from the associated clans. More recently, the MacGaire clan has established a North American presence. In the United States and Canada, the MacGwier name is associated with individuals from East Coast cities such as New York City, as well as more western regions, such as Colorado and California.
In addition to the various geographic locations around the globe where the MacGwier surname is found, the name is still closely associated with Scottish heritage. Its presence in that area can be traced back centuries, and the clan's coat of arms incorporates symbols of determination and spirit with the motto "Stand Firm".
As with many other ancient Scottish names, MacGwier was, and still is, a source of pride for those connected to it, offering a link between past and present generations. It is a reminder of their history and heritage, and a symbol of the family's long-standing history in and around the Argyll Coast of Scotland.
Order DNA origin analysisMacGwier: Where does the name MacGwier come from?
The surname MacGwier is a relatively uncommon name today. It originated in Scotland, although some parts of the British Isles have seen greater prevalence over time. Scotland is still the focus of the MacGwier surname and it is still widely used in certain parts of the country today.
The origin of the name is thought to be a patronymic form of the personal name Gwier, which itself derived from the Old British name Vortigern, meaning ‘overlord’. This suggests a possible connection to a powerful medieval clan or family. Alternatively, some suggest the name may be derived from the Gaelic ‘Mac G airfh ach’ meaning ‘son of the weasel’.
Most commonly, individuals with the MacGwier surname can be found in Aberdeenshire, Angus and Perth & Kinross, reflecting its historic settlement. Smaller concentrations can be found in additional parts of Scotland, such as in Dunbartonshire, Stirlingshire and the City of Glasgow. The surname is rare in other parts of the Britain, with some suggesting fewer than 500 individuals bearing it in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Outside of the British Isles, the MacGwier surname can also be found in countries including Australia, Canada, the United States and New Zealand. However, this is likely due to immigration patterns more than any one region of distinct origin. On a global scale, the name is still rare and is likely to remain so in the foreseeable future.
Variations of the surname MacGwier
The surname MacGwier is a variant spelling for the surname McGwire, which is an Ulster-Scots name derived from the Irish Ó Goirmheartaigh. It is thought to have originated in Counties Mayo and Sligo in Ireland. McGwire or MacGwire is the traditional spelling of the surname in Ulster. Other variants of the surname include: MacGuire, Magwire, MacQuire, MacGuwier, Maguire and MacGwyer. The surname can also be found spelled as McGwier, McGuyer, MacGweir, McGurk, McGwyer and MacGowery.
In England and Scotland, the surname is more often spelled as Maguire. This variant is likely derived from the Scots-Irish Mag Uidhir, which is a masculine form of the Irish name Ó Cuidighthir meaning handsome lord. Other Scottish variants of the surname include Machonquer, Makquier, Maconcher and Macquarrie.
The various variants of MacGwier indicate the various spelling changes which occur over time due to phonetical variations and cultural influences. It is also important to remember that McGwire and other variants may refer to a separate surname entirely, so it is important to investigate the genealogical history of the name in order to confirm its connection to the original Irish-Scottish surname.
Famous people with the name MacGwier
- Bruce MacGwire: Major League Baseball player and coach
- Bill MacGwire: Scottish footballer
- Thomas MacGwire: American stage, film, and television actor
- Kerry MacGwire: Retired American professional basketball player
- Alexander MacGwire: British-Australian actor
- Maureen MacGwire: American painter and sculptor
- Michael MacGwire: English musician
- Paul MacGwire: British actor
- Ian MacGwire: American film actor
- Sean MacGwire: American film and television director